Thursday, July 5

The Fourth of July holiday festivities were a celebratory affair Wednesday night around the lower divisions as the home teams in all five games went home happy as winners. The San Antonio Scorpions used Puerto Rico's loss in Minnesota to expand their league lead to four points. Meanwhile, the big result in USL Pro was Dayton getting a second victory, moving within striking range of making a jump past Charlotte and Pittsburgh to the middle of the table.

Wednesday, July 4

The Holiday slate for the lower division leagues started this evening with a pair of games. The fans of the home teams went home happy with one-goal victories with those in Cary, NC also getting a natural fireworks show during lightning delays.

NASL: Carolina RailHawks 2:1 Atlanta Silverbacks - Eric Wynalda's debut with Atlanta started off on the wrong foot, falling behind after just four minutes when Jason Garey delivered a through ball behind the defense for an easy finish for Nick Zimmerman. Matt Horth answered in the 15th minute when he finished from eight yards off a Borfor Carr cross. An hour-long delay at the 23-minute mark was followed by another a few minutes after the restart. After the official third intermission for halftime, the hosts wasted no time once again claiming the lead when a clearance deflected to Cory Elenio, whose cross was headed in from eight yards for the winner five minutes in. - MORE

Monday, July 2

NASL: FC Edmonton 0:0 Puerto Rico Islanders - Looking to reclaim the top spot in the league, the Islanders were denied by FC Edmonton, who stood strong despite playing the final half-hour with defender Kevin Hatchi, who was sent off in the 58th for a second yellow. - MORE

USL PRO: Antigua Barracuda 1:0 Charleston Battery - The Battery missed a chance to move within a point of the league leaders as Antigua's early second half goal ended their eight-game winless stretch and three-game scoreless run. Peter Byers scored two minutes into the second half with a strike from 12 yards, giving Antigua its first goal in four meetings against the Battery this season. Charleston's opportunity to rally was made more difficult with an unusual occurrence when Cody Ellison, after being fouled, was shown a red card for dissent as he was preparing to be taken off on a stretcher. - MORE

Sunday, July 1

The home teams dominated the night in the NASL as both Florida clubs and San Antonio picked up victories. In USL Pro, however, only Wilmington was able to register a win as Pittsburgh played league leader Orlando City to a draw and Harrisburg won in Rochester.

Quick Thoughts

Welcome

Soccer in North America

A blog dedicated to football in the US, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean and beyond from top to bottom. Everything from the World Cup, CONCACAF Champions League and MLS to the minor leagues and youth development.

About Me

Currently a writer and co-manager of TheCup.us, I also serve as communications officer for the NASR. Previously a long-time soccer administrator, I began working with the Spokane Shadow in the USL Premier Development League from 1997-99, watching and working with players like Brian Ching and Craig Waibel. I then joined United Soccer Leagues and worked in the communications department through mid-2010.